Sinner withstands Cerundolo

ROME – Jannik Sinner came through the first true test of his comeback from a doping ban with Tuesday’s straight-sets win over Francisco Cerundolo which took the world No. 1 into the Italian Open quarterfinals.

Italian Sinner bested 17th seed Cerundolo 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 in a match which was delayed by a couple of hours due to a torrential downpour to set up a last-eight clash with either Casper Ruud or Jaume Munar.

Cerundolo knocked out Sinner in the Last 16 the last time he played here in 2023, but that was before the 23-year-old had became the tournament-winning machine he is today.

Sinner’s compatriot Lorenzo Musetti reached the Last Eight after seeing off Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-4.